3 City Council candidates introduced

Three Erie City Council Democratic candidates, known as "Erie's Next City Council,'' were introduced to the public on Wednesday afternoon at Erie City Hall.

The candidates— Liz Allen, John Reitinger and Kevin Otteni — are united around Erie Refocused, the city's comprehensive plan, and pledge to work with the city's incoming mayor to make the plan work.

Allen, who spent 32 years as a reporter with the Erie Times-News and is recently retired, is running with a focus on "transparency and innovation'' in government.

Allen is a known political watchdog, supporter of women's rights and champion of Erie's neighborhoods and citizens.

Reitinger spent 12 years working for the city of Erie as a code enforcement officer. Reitinger has experience investigating blight issues that impact Erie and plans to bring his experience as a business owner, landlord and city employee to his campaign as he seeks his party's nomination for City Council.

Otteni has worked as a chemist with Lord Corp. for the past 15 years and serves actively in the U.S. Army as a captain. Otteni said he is determined to bring clarity toward implementation of the Erie Refocused plan.